Hydrocarbons like natural gas and crude oil are extracted, processed, transported, and used by modern society through a complex network of systems. These resources do have certain disadvantages, though: they are scarce, difficult to access, and the extraction process releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
Even though some people think it's impossible or undesirable to lessen our need on hydrocarbons, Terraform Industries offers a creative answer. The business has created a method called the Terraformer to use air and power to manufacture these resources. Terraform Industries recently announced the successful commissioning of a demonstration unit that has produced synthetic natural gas for the first time.
The three primary parts of the Terraformer, which is about the size of two shipping containers, are an electrolyzer that converts solar energy into hydrogen, a direct air capture system that captures CO2, and a chemical reactor that combines these components to produce synthetic natural gas suitable for pipeline use. This system can run effectively off of a one megawatt solar array.
The CEO, Casey Handmer, admits that the technology used isn't really novel because procedures like electrolysis and Sabatier chemical reactions are well-known. However, the business has made important advancements, including the modification of the entire system to work with the erratic nature of solar energy and its exclusive direct air capture method, which have set a new standard in the industry.
Significant cost savings have resulted from the technologies. According to the business, Terraform's technology can absorb CO2 for less than $250 per ton and manufacture hydrogen from clean electricity for less than $2.50 per kilogram (as opposed to the current cost of green hydrogen, which ranges between $5-11 per kilogram). This would set a new world record.
Already strategizing for more cost-cutting measures, Terraform Industries wants its synthetic natural gas to rival conventional liquefied natural gas in price. This goal is heavily reliant on the mass manufacture of Terraformers and the supply of reasonably priced solar energy.
Handmer is a visionary, but he also understands that strong business principles are necessary for Terraform's projects to succeed. He highlights how crucial it is to make these environmentally beneficial solutions viable.
Terraform, a California company based in Burbank, has agreements to sell two utilities its synthetic natural gas, which is a significant step in proving that it complies with industry requirements. The company is also looking at the idea of expanding into other liquid fuels as an alternative to methane and providing standalone electrolyzers. In addition, Terraform is now taking orders for its first commercial Terraformers. The company intends to increase production capacity in order to facilitate a substantial overhaul of the world's energy networks.
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